# Robotic Retail Traditional retailers experiment with robot-driven customer assistance. By [Rebecca Byers](https://www.trendhunter.com/becbyers), Insights Research at Trend Hunter | Published Dec 15, 2015 | Category: [Tech](https://www.trendhunter.com/pro/category/technology-trends-and-gadgets) Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/robotic-retail ## Key Figures - Trend score: 4.7/10 - Evidence articles: 7 ## What is the Robotic Retail trend? **Robotic Retail:** Robotic retail assistants are emerging as traditional retailers begin to elevate customer experience with digital features. In addition to providing comprehensive, customized in-store service, robotic retail assistants can also serve as a fruitful introduction to the brand's e-commerce component of the business. Overall, this progression speaks to the naturalistic relationship between brick-and-mortar retailers and their online extensions. ## At a Glance - Evidence: 7 featured examples - Articles from: Mar 19, 2015 to Feb 17, 2017 - Published: Dec 15, 2015 - Patterns: [Divergence](https://www.trendhunter.com/pattern/divergence) - Megatrends: [Multisensation](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/multisensation), [Instant Entrepreneurship](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/instant-entrepreneurship), [Artificial Intelligence](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/artificial-intelligence) ## Audience - Gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, South America, Europe, Asia ## Themes within the Robotic Retail trend ### Robotic Retail Assistants Traditional retailers are using robotic retail assistants to elevate customer experience with digital features as they serve as a fruitful introduction to the brand's e-commerce component of the business. ### Connected Shopping Connected shopping merges brick and mortars with online retail very smoothly, acting as a physical introduction to the brand's e-commerce sites and services. ### Autonomous Retail Robots Autonomous retail robots like the LoweBot offer great amounts of help to both customers and employees by answering basic questions, helping shoppers navigate the store and locate products in multiple languages, and offers real-time inventory monitoring technology which helps management to assess patterns in the retail environment as they happen. ## What the Robotic Retail trend means for industry ### For Retail Industry The retail industry can innovate their customer service strategies by adopting robotic retail assistants, connected shopping experiences, and autonomous retail robots in their stores. ### For Technology Industry The technology industry can explore new possibilities by developing robotic retail assistants, connected shopping applications, and autonomous retail robots for the retail industry. ### For Customer Experience Industry The customer experience industry can explore incorporating robotic retail assistants and autonomous retail robots to enhance in-store experiences for customers and employees alike. ## Workshop question How could your stores leverage robotic technology to create an elevated customer experience? ## Trend signals for Robotic Retail Trend score 4.7 out of 10, from popularity 71%, activity 64%, freshness 8%. - Popularity: 71% - Activity: 64% - Freshness: 8% ## Examples of the Robotic Retail trend 7 featured examples from Mar 19, 2015 to Feb 17, 2017. - [Autonomous Retail Robots](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/retail-service): Lowe's 'LoweBot' is an Automated Retail Service Tool (Category: Tech) Implication: The retail industry can leverage autonomous retail robots to enhance customer experience, optimize inventory management, and improve operational efficiency. - [Robotic Beauty Shop Assistants](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/connected-shopping): Sephora's Flash Store is a Revolution in Connected Shopping (Category: Fashion) Implication: Connected shopping disrupts traditional retail models and enhances the customer experience. - [Android Shop Assistants](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/shop-robot): Shop Robot Aiko Chihira Helps Customers at Mitsukoshi (Category: Tech) Implication: Integrating human-like androids as shop assistants can provide retail stores with a competitive advantage by offering a more personalized, adaptive, and cutting-edge customer serv… - [Futuristic Cosmetic Shops](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cosmetic-shop): AlpStories' Flagship Store is Open Concept (Category: Art & Design) Implication: Disruptive innovation opportunity: Incorporate alpine plants and organic ingredients in beauty products to meet the growing demand for natural and sustainable beauty options. - [Friendly Retail Robots](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/pepper-the-robot): Pepper the Robot Suggests Wine Pairings and Interacts with Shoppers (Category: Tech) Implication: Introducing friendly retail robots like Pepper can revolutionize the shopping experience, offering personalized recommendations, improved customer engagement, and increased operat… - [Customer Support Robots](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/engagement-advisor): IBM's Watson Engagement Advisor Enhances Retail Service Experiences (Category: Tech) Implication: The Watson Engagement Advisor is transforming the retail industry by providing unparalleled customer support and enhancing the overall service experience. - [Autonomous Cashier Stations](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cashier-station): Panasonic's Checkout Robot Automatically Scans and Bags Items (Category: Business) Implication: Disruptive innovation opportunity: Integrate technology and robotics into retail stores to automate checkout processes and enhance the overall shopping experience. ## Recent trend clusters - [Delegated Interfaces](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/delegated-interfaces) (Tech) - [Adaptive Controls](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/adaptive-controls) (Tech) - [Desk Systems](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/desk-systems) (Tech) - [Spatial Refinement](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/spatial-refinement) (Tech) ## Trending in Tech - [Decor-Led Home Projectors](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/decor-led-home-projectors) - [Accessible Fintech Pop-Ups](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/chequing-account) - [Dual-Wavelength Recovery Wearables](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/joint-therapy) - [Pop-Culture WiFi Routers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/pop-culture-wifi-routers) All articles: [Tech](https://www.trendhunter.com/tech)